I have used this location a number of times and have not encountered any issues. Always helpful, professional and it's quick -- done and out. I usually go in late afternoon And typically there are 4-5 people but it moves pretty quick. Haven't had any issue with the service and I'm a really bad stick so I would complain. Most of the time, barely feel anything. I recommend the day before and certainly 5-6 hours prior that you drink plenty of liquids so your veins are well hydrated. I'm a really difficult stick, blow veins, and have had some clinics have to get several people involved. At the Villa Park, they have been able to get it on first try. THAT MAKES ME HAPPY! I will continue to go there.
Tip: I haven't needed it at this clinic; however, I just had my heart valve replaced and due to the Lasix I was pretty low on hydration -- lost 20 lbs in 3 days. The hospital used something I hadn't seen before. They filled a disposable glove with warm water and placed it there for about 10 minutes while she went to get another patient started. came back and boom, done. The vein was sitting up and I barely felt it. On the second time which was 2.5 days later, I had already blown a vein on one arm so weren't taking any chances. I had just had a A-line pulled in the same arm that blew which hurts like the devil. The other arm had two IVs which they put in prior to surgery, but one totally failed (was burning like heck so it had to be pulled). Then the last one was able to be flushed but wouldn't return any blood so they had to do a new tap - no choice. Because I was dehydrated, I was dreading it especially since I had just blown the vein in the other arm. But another nurse came in, laid that hand warmer on the area, waited a few minutes, talked to me about the beach right around the corner, and boom, she had it. I'm such a bad stick that I have cried it hurt so much, they have had 3-4 people working on me and can't get it. Usually at 3-4, I'm like, I'm done, I will come back the next day and get me an anesthesiologist to do it. so I was pretty amazed that it worked so well with being so dehydrated.
So if you are a bad stick, have been sick etc and know you aren't well hydrated, or just don't want to deal with more than one try -- ask them to try the warm water filled glove. It's your veins and your body, they shouldn't refuse. It's like when they refuse to do a butterfly because it's slower. I'm sorry, due to many years of weekly blood work, my veins aren't in the best shape and we aren't sticking a 22 gauge in there just because someone wants to rush. That's when I ask for a manager --when they refuse or get snippy. Just a tip.
Thankfully the folks at Villa Park Labcorp have all been friendly, and easy to get along. One even used a closer room so I didn't have to struggle so much to get back to her regular room which I really appreciated. The only thing I don't like is the Kiosk when there is a receptionist sitting right there. But also there is no where to place your pocketbook -- need a table at each machine so you can get your drivers license, insurance card out p, etc. without having to leave your pocketbook across the room in a chair. And the machines need an alert sound that you didn't pick up your license. Other than that, I will use them often. read more